Can Metacognitive Beliefs Predict Coping Strategies among Students?

Abstract

Introduction: Metacognition involves beliefs about cognition that can be adaptive or maladaptive. In theory, in dealing with stressful situations, Metacognitive beliefs involve the selection of coping strategies (i.e., emotion- -focused, avoidant-focused, and problem-focused).Objectives: The present study examined the relationships among metacognitive beliefs and coping strategies. Method: A random sample of students (N = 250, Mean age = 24.31; SD = 2.71; 40% male) from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad were asked to complete the Metacognitions Questionnaire and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Results: Results from Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses showed that increases in the inefficiency of metacognitive beliefs were accompanied with increases in using of emotion-focused and avoidant-focused coping strategies. A significant correlation was not found between metacognitive beliefs and problem-focused coping strategy. Conclusion: inefficiency of metacognitive beliefs and disability in assessment, supervision and control in Self-Cognitive System is correlated with using of emotion-focused and avoidant-focused coping strategies, which could influence on stress consequence.